PGA EUROPEAN TOUR:Costa Rica Open 2006 Pays
Posthumous Tribute to Kai
Fieberg
The 2006 Costa Rica Open, a
co-sanctioned event between the
European Challenge Tour and the
Tour de las Americas (TLA), has
been re-named the ‘Kai Fieberg
Costa Rica Open 2006’ as a
posthumous tribute to the
tournament’s promoter Kai
Fieberg, who lost his life in a
tragic car accident on January
11, 2006.

Fieberg was a key figure in
bringing the Challenge Tour and
the TLA together three years ago
by staging the first
co-sanctioned event between the
two tours – the 2003 Costa Rica
Open, which paved the way for
the Challenge Tour to make its
mark in Central and South
America and offered the TLA
Members the opportunity to make
the breakthrough on the European
stage.

The Kai Fieberg Costa Rica Open
2006, to be played at the
Cariari Country Club from
February 9-12 will carry a prize
fund of
us$150,000.

As well as having his name
attached to the Costa Rica Open,
Fieberg has been named
posthumously as the tournament’s
Honorary President and the ‘Kai
Fieberg Foundation’ has been
created. The TLA has also
decided to create the ‘Kai
Fieberg Trophy,’ an award to be
presented to the Order of Merit
winner starting this season.

TLA Commissioner Henrique Lave
said: “For the staff and the
players in the Tour de las
Americas’ family, the ‘Kai
Fieberg Costa Rica Open’ is a
great opportunity to celebrate
the life of the great friend
that has left us. Kai was an
inspiring man, full of energy
and positive thoughts who left
an unforgettable impression on
each and every one of us.

“In my opinion, Kai is an
irreplaceable friend and
business partner. With him gone,
I feel obligated to work harder
for the TLA to succeed. We
dreamt of reaching new heights
and benefits for professional
golf in Latin America. Just a
few days ago my wife told me
that he will become our guardian
angel and I believe so.”

Alain de Soultrait, Director of
the European Challenge Tour,
said: “The decision to put Kai’s
name to the title of the Costa
Rica Open, and the creation of a
‘Kai Fieberg Foundation’ are
fitting tributes which I am sure
would overwhelm the great man
were he still with us today.

“Kai’s foresight and
anticipation played a hugely
significant role in making the
Costa Rica Open the first, full
co-sanctioned event between the
Tour de las Americas and the
Challenge Tour. In our
experience, he was consistently
one step ahead of the game in
terms of the promotion and
organization of his events, and
his passion for golf made
working with him an absolute
pleasure.”